My firm, Proper Retirement, provides holistic, comprehensive financial services to help families understand and navigate their finances. I’d like to take the opportunity to share how I got started in the financial services industry, the journey that led me to where I am today as a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, and (most importantly) why I love what I do.

Getting Started

My journey began with education. After earning a bachelor’s degree from West Chester University and an MBA from St. Joseph’s University, I continued on to obtain the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation.

Starting out, I got hands-on financial industry experience working at The Vanguard Group and Thrive Financial Services. I quickly learned that the retirement industry is where I could impact the most lives by utilizing my natural aptitude for numbers and math.

This entire industry focuses on investments because that’s where revenue is generated. But, unfortunately, that approach leaves families ill-prepared for the financial navigation needed for a proper retirement.

In general, I found education around retirement to be lacking. Families need a better understanding of their options and opportunities as they approach retirement. In my opinion, too many advisors overcomplicate financial planning. Retirement planning can be simplified to foster a fuller understanding—and sometimes the best solution is the simple solution.

Why I Started Proper Retirement

After witnessing over and over again the lack of retirement knowledge, I felt strongly motivated to do something about it. No one was truly educating people on topics like forward tax planning, Roth conversion strategies, cash flow planning, risk management, insurance in retirement, managing real estate in retirement, and how to unwind a real estate portfolio before retirement.

I was inspired by watching people (who worked hard their whole lives) unknowingly have their reward taken from them. They worked hard, saved their money, invested well, and at the end of the day were penalized for doing it “too well.”

Clients did the right things, lived within their means, and did not overspend. Through no fault of their own, they saw fees and taxes erode their hard-earned money.

I wanted to solve this problem and help families retire comfortably. They deserve clarity, confidence, and to be educated on their retirement. That is why I founded Proper Retirement.

Why I Love What I Do

I’m an educator at heart. That’s why I get so much fulfillment from providing clients the information they need to retire with confidence. I can literally watch them transform their psyche and grow personally as their confidence soars.

In addition to educating my clients, I also teach a retirement planning course at Temple University’s Olli Program. I take it upon myself to educate every person who’s interested in learning as little or as much as they feel necessary to be able to sleep well at night with no worries in retirement.

As further proof of my dedication to the financial services industry, I was awarded the Wealth Management Industry Award as a rising star. I also earned an award from AdvisorHub and was added to their list of registered investment advisors to watch.

Reach Out for Professional Guidance

Be smart. Partner with a committed professional financial advisor who brings a wealth of knowledge and dedication to every client interaction. From strategic planning to personalized solutions, I’m your go-to guide for pursuing your retirement dreams.

By offering a comprehensive suite of financial services, including tax planning, estate strategy, insurance needs, and investment guidance, our firm can provide you with a truly holistic approach to financial planning.

To schedule a complimentary meeting, call 484-580-2118 or email Erik.Schuster@ProperRetirement.com.

About Erik

Erik Schuster is a Retirement and Tax Planner at Proper Retirement, based in Wayne, PA, a comprehensive financial services firm helping families understand how taxes affect their retirement. An advisor since 2013, Erik uses his natural skill set in math and numbers to build a holistic plan for hardworking people to enjoy a well-deserved retirement. Driven to better the entire retirement industry and have a positive impact on his clients’ lives, he thrives off seeing them realize lifelong goals and gain the time and financial freedom to grow personally.

Prior to creating his own firm, Erik gained industry experience at The Vanguard Group and Thrive in the areas of high-net-worth financial planning, tax strategies, and estate management.

He holds a bachelor’s degree from West Chester University, an MBA from St. Joseph’s University, and the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation. Upholding the standards of CFP® professionals, Erik embraces an unwavering commitment to prioritize clients’ investment well-being. In 2023, he received a Wealth Management Industry Award as a rising star honoree (1 of 13) and was added to AdvisorHub’s “100 Registered Investment Advisors” to watch (#59).

Outside the realm of financial planning, Erik teaches a Retirement Planning and Preparedness course at Temple University’s Olli program, actively contributes on the Board of Directors for the nonprofit Family Services of Montgomery County, and owns a rental real estate company with his wife, Laura. When he’s not working, Erik finds solace in the company of his beloved wife and their three children, Beau, Brett, and Ellie. In the small amount of available time outside of family, he enjoys golfing, skiing, snowboarding, traveling, and working out. To learn more about Erik, connect with him on LinkedIn.